The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Three absolved in actress' suicide case

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jul 12, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Three absolved in actress' suicide case

Special Correspondent

"No evidence to prove the charge"

CHENNAI: Three persons, charged with abetting the suicide of film and television actress Viji in November 2000, were acquitted by the Mahila Court here on Monday.

In her order, Special Judge Aruna Jagadeesan said: "The ingredients of abetment are totally absent in the instant case for an offence under Section 306 and Section 417 of the Indian Penal Code. There is absolutely no material or evidence to prove that the accused Ramesh had intentionally induced Viji to do anything which she would not have done if she was not so deceived."

The accused persons include television serial director A.R. Ramesh, his wife, A.R. Sumathi, and his friend, Chinnasamy.

The prosecution case was that Ramesh, a married man, had an affair with Viji. He promised to marry her but refused later.

Three days prior to her death on November 27, 2000, Ramesh met Viji at a function and abused her. Unable to bear the abusive words, she committed suicide by hanging, it added.

"No motive"

However, Ms. Jagadeesan said the alleged abusive words should be taken as words exchanged during a heated conversation, and that there could not be any attribution of inducement by the accused towards Viji.

"There is absolutely no evidence or material to attribute motive against the accused and to hold him for any culpability."

The Judge described the actress as a "sensitive girl who was not able to withstand the jolts of life."

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